DOCSLIB.ORG

Love, Lora & Pooka

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Love, Lora & Pooka Pooka's Page for Grownups Each year we try to make the Yule issue a little bit special, taking care that it includes all the parts of the magazine you've told us are your favorites. This year was a bit difficult - in fact it was "touch & go" whether we'd get this issue out at all. My Lover of the past 8 years had a massive stroke on Nov. 4th, leaving him paralyzed, speechless and confused - and so, of course, I've had to be with him almost constantly. My presence & support right now is critical to his recovery. And on top of the holidays being a busy time for everyone, two of our Team Members with regular columns had their own emergencies - Christine is busy helping her father care for her mother and Calunna's horse suffered a serious injury. So, in addition to my own time-consuming crisis, we were also short-handed. However, I think the rest of the Team and I have pulled off a small Yuletide Miracle....and here is your Pooka Pages Issue! To be honest, I don't know what the future holds for this little magazine. I don't know what the future holds for ME. The Gods have suddenly tossed Life's Cards into the air and who knows where they'll land - or how their positions, when they fall, will affect the Pooka Pages. But, the new-born Sun of Yule is a symbolic promise for All of us . It's the beginning of a Growing Light in the middle of the of the Dark Winter. It's a Promise of Renewal, Growth and Sunny Days ahead. May you be Blessed with your own Yuletide Miracles! Love, Lora & Pooka Yule 2015 A Birthday Party for the Sun ! Maybe you remember that at dinnertime during the summer it was still light out - but now when you eat it’s dark. It’s not that dinner’s being served later. It’s that, since Summer Solstice, the days have been getting shorter and the nights have been getting. But that’s about to change! At Yule, the sun is “born” once more. It's his birthday and everyone celebrates! Starting with Yule, the baby sun gets a little bit stronger and stays in the sky a little bit longer each day. In this Issue: Storybook Chair - Pooka's Gift Elsie's Kitchen - Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa Coloring Page - Happy Yule by Liliane Grenier Elsie's Herb Garden - Cranberries Magic of Yule Plants by MommaWitch Carmen Jimmy Teaches an Important Lesson - by Evelien Roos Coloring Pages - Yule Ornaments by Carolina Gonzalez Yule Ritual by MommaWitch Carmen Little Book of Shadows - a Family Solstice Spell A Letter from Scotland by Fiona Tinker Wee Witchling's Read-Along - Pooka's Mouse Hunt The Pooka Pages Magazine is published 8 times a year by Lora Craig-Gaddis. To subscribe, go to: www.pookapages.com Elsie & Pooka characters are © Lora Craig-Gaddis This Issue of Pooka Pages is © Copyright December 2015 No portion of this publication may be used without the author/artist’s permission. To contact an author or artist or for general inquiries, write to [email protected] Visit us on Facebook - facebook.com/PookaPagesTeam Pooka's Gift The days preceding Yule were always so busy! Elsie rushed around the cottage stacking firewood, decorating the tree, wrapping gifts and jumping up to check on the gingerbread in the oven. Pooka watched, his little head swiveling back and forth like an announcer's at a tennis match. "Slow down, Elsie!" he told her. "Your boots are going to fly off." "I can't," the little witch said. "It's almost Yule and I still haven't made the pies!" It seemed the only time she sat down was when a friend stopped by to visit. Thankfully, that was fairly often. The friend would arrive bearing a cheery smile and brightly colored packages would be exchanged. Pooka was delighted that there would usually be a little gift for him too...and that it would be placed with Elsie's under the tree to be opened after dawn on the Solstice Morning. But, as the gifts mounted, a thought occurred to the cat and troubled him. Here were all these gifts...and he didn't have one for Elsie! He took his problem to Edgar the Crow. Edgar bobbed his head as he listened and then replied: "Easy! Just Find her a Sparkly Thing!" Pooka knew that, in a crow's world, if you see someone set something down, the object becomes fair game. The crow has then "found" it and is allowed to take it. He said, "In our world, that's called "stealing" and I can't do that! It's just WRONG!" Edgar looked at his friend in confusion. "You're on your own then," he told him and then spread his wings flew and off to "find" something. "What about a seed that she can plant next Spring? That would be a wonderful gift!" suggested Thistle. The little fairy had been hovering nearby, checking on a slightly frost- bitten rose bush, and had heard the whole conversation. Pooka shook his head. "Elsie's already saved all the seeds she wants for planting." Thistle raised her dainty nose and sniffed. "One can Never have too many seeds!" she said sternly, and then she too flew off. "What can I do?" fretted Pooka. "Elsie does so much for everyone...and especially ME! I want to give her Something!" Finally, the cat wandered down the snow-crusted path through the forest to their friend, Nathan's, house. "The Boy's not home, said Nathan's grandmother when she opened the door, "but come on in!" Grandmother poured him a little bowl of warmed cream and he told her his problem. The elderly woman sat down, listened and then said thoughtfully," You don't have money, so you can't buy her anything. You don't have thumbs so it would be hard for you to make her something. But, seems to me, the best gifts aren't the ones you buy or even make for someone. The best gift of all is your Love. Your time and just caring. I think that's all Elsie really wants." "But I do that all the time!" Pooka protested. "Well," said Grandmother, "at this time of year, it's nice to look for little extra things we can do to show our love and appreciation for others. I'm sure you'll think of something," she added confidently. Pooka thought and thought...but came up empty. Meanwhile, his little witch baked and cleaned, decorated their fireplace mantle and then trotted all over the village and out-lying farms, taking baskets of yummy home- made treats and herbal goodies to all their friends. She shopped for those who couldn't leave their homes and baby-sat so others could. On Yule Eve, after their supper and Yule Ritual, she trudged slowly up the stairs and collapsed face down on the comfy patchwork quilt covering the bed. "Blessed Be," she moaned. "I am so sore and exhausted right now. But, Pooka, be sure to wake me when the new sun comes up tomorrow. I don't want to miss it!" In response, Pooka climbed onto her back and began kneading with his little paws (being very careful not to poke her with his claws.) Elsie sighed happily. "A Kitty Massage. Oh my, that feels good!" Pooka kneaded harder. After a while, his paws grew tired, so he lay across her back and purred as hard as he knew how. Elsie stirred beneath him and mumbled, "This is the Best Yule Gift ever! I know I'll be a new witch in the morning thanks to you, Pooka. You always know just what to do!"...and then the little witch fell asleep smiling. Pooka parked on her back and just kept purring and vibrating. He'd found his Gift. Pooka thinks hot cocoa is fine just the way it is. So, when Elsie came home with a new recipe from the owner of the Village Cafe, the little cat was less than enthusiastic. He quickly changed his tune, however, once he'd tasted it. After cleaning the whipped cream off his whiskers, he graciously gave Elsie his permission to make their hot cocoa this way any time she wanted to! Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa 6 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup sugar 2 cups milk 1½ cups of half and half (half cream & half milk) ¼ cup caramel sauce (store bought or home made) 2 teaspoons vanilla Mix the first 3 ingredients in a pot, then whisk in the rest of the ingredients. Heat over a medium flame while stirring. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream drizzled with a bit more caramel sauce Elsie's Home-made Caramel Sauce: Mix 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup half-and-half, 4 Tablespoons butter and a good pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook while whisking gently for 5 to 7 minutes, until it gets thicker. Add 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract and cook another minute to thicken further. Turn off the heat, cool slightly and pour the sauce into a jar. Cranberry Pooka thinks the only things cranberries are good for is stringing with popcorn to make Yule tree garlands. But he's wrong! American Indians knew the healing properties of this little red berry. They'd grind it and use the paste to keep wounds from getting infected.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Renee: 0:01 This Is Renee Cyr Doing an Interview with Camille on July 11 2019, Discussing Paganism in Lawrence
    Renee: 0:01 This is Renee Cyr doing an interview with Camille on July 11 2019, discussing Paganism in Lawrence. How do you define your religion and spiritual path? Camille: 0:19 To define my religion would be, the umbrella term is Paganism. But that means anything that's out of Judaism, or Christianity, or Catholicism. Technically I would be classified as a Wiccan. I'm very nature based, but I also incorporate a specific goddess that I like to make offerings to her. She makes me feel protected and safe. And I think everybody deep down inside, spiritually humans need to believe in something higher than themselves. Not just for accountability of what happens to them in life, but the idea that we're just here alone on this big planet, it's kind of sad. I think people are naturally drawn to religious idols. Mine would be Hekate. Renee: 1:03 How long have you practiced Paganism? Camille: 1:06 Since 2002. I discovered it when I was going to high school. When I was younger, I was forced to go to Catholic school. My family is Romani Gypsy, and Italians on my mom's side. So they're very much about adopting a major religion to kind of help us blend in more. And my grandmother and my mother actually really did take it to heart. It wasn't just like, a chameleon tactic to blend in. Going to Catholic school I realized that it just didn't feel right. Like I would leave church feeling worse than when I went in.
    [Show full text]
  • Grimoire of Eclectic Magick (
    1 of 3 Grimoire of eclectic Magick Part ( Permission is given for the distribution of this text in electronic form, with these conditions: s No fees may be charged for the distribution or transmission of this document, other than standard charges for use of transmiss ion lines or electronic media. Distribution for commercial purposes or by commercial entities is specifically prohibited. s All copies distributed must contain the complete, unedited text of the original document and this copyright notice. s Persons acquiring this electronic version of the document can make one (1) printed copy for their own personal use. All other rights are retained by the author Typography . Cover Graphics FLA Millennium, Shannon Teague Alchemist, Computer Safari Text Alchemy, Cosmorama Enterprises Copyright © Beltain 2000 by Parker Torrence. Fifties, WSI-Font Collection DF Calligraphic Ornaments LET, Garden Display Caps, WSI-Font Collection Esselte Letraset Ltd. All rights reserved, all wrongs returned Three Fold! Krone, WSI-Font Collection Genji, Emerald City Fontworks Wellsley, J. Fordyce Veve, Scriptorium Fonts Witchcraft, Typearound Font WoolBats, Curtis Clark Movie images are from http://www.spe.sony.com/movies/thecraft/ In 1996, “The Craft” was released in theaters and a G hat is Wicca? r new standard for movies about witchcraft was i established. This was in part due to the technical advice m of Pat Devin, an Elder and the first officer of the o Southern California local council of C.O.G. (Covenant i W r "Basically, Wicca is an evolving religion of theGoddess) established in California in 1975, an e incorporated, religious, non-profit organization.
    [Show full text]
  • Spiritual Philosophy & Practice of Wicca in the U.S. Military (PDF
    SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE OF WICCA IN THE U.S. MILITARY David L. Oringderff, Ph.D. Ronald W. Schaefer, Lt Col USAF SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHY and PRACTICE of WICCA In the U.S. MILITARY David L. Oringderff, Ph.D. Ronald W. Schaefer, Lt Col USAF Acknowledgments This work developed out of an identified need for clear and concise information regarding the practice of Wicca, particularly as it pertains to US military members and their families, friends, commanders, and chaplains. Many people were significantly involved in this effort. The authors would particularly like to thank Reverend Selena Fox and Circle Sanctuary, the Reverend Rene Delaere of Greencraft and the Sacred Well for their direct and substantial contributions, as well as Silverdrake for their work in the previous editions of this guide, Overview and Guide for Wiccans in the Military. We would also like to recognize the energy, love and support given by the International Executive Council of Clerics of the Sacred Well Congregation, Hera, Odinda, Itárilde, Arghuicha, and Gayomard. Special thanks goes to Father Timothy Ullman for his assistance in researching constitutional law and applicable service regulations. The Sacred Well Congregation PO Box 58 Converse, Texas 78109 Samhain, 2001, First edition The authors and the Sacred Well Congregation extend use of this copyrighted material to military and governmental agencies and other educational and non profit institutions and organizations so long as copyright notices, credits, and integrity of the material is maintained and the material is not used for any commercial purpose. 2 Spiritual Philosophy and Practice of Wicca in the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Can White Witchcraft Be Good?” #682 – October 30, 2011
    “Can White Witchcraft Be Good?” #682 – October 30, 2011 Can White Witchcraft Be Good? 1 Peter 2:11 : (NASB) Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Boo!! It’s that time of year when ghosts, goblins, skeletons, witches and sorcerers overrun not only our neighborhoods but much of the TV and movie industry as well. Soon they will all go back into hibernation until next year - all except witches, that is. Witchcraft, particularly that practiced as "Wicca," is a particularly burgeoning part of our culture, growing especially among young people. Should this be a problem? After all, Wicca practices “white” witchcraft, so it’s nothing to worry about – or is it? Stay with us as we look into Wicca – its origin, its practices its influence and of course, what the Bible says about such things… First of all, what is Halloween all about? Halloween History -Samhain, National Geographic Channel • From communion with the dead to pumpkins and pranks, Halloween is a patchwork holiday stitched together with cultural, religious, and occult traditions that span centuries. • It all began with the Celts more than 2,000 years ago. October 31st was the day they celebrated the end of the harvest season in a festival called Samhain. That night also marked the Celtic New Year and was considered a time "between years," a magical time when the ghosts of the dead walked the earth. • It was a time when the veil between death and life was supposed to be at its thinnest.
    [Show full text]
  • PT 06-10 Tax Type: Property Tax Issue: Religious Ownership/Use
    PT 06-10 Tax Type: Property Tax Issue: Religious Ownership/Use STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS ROSE MINISTRIES Applicant A.H. Docket # 05-PT-0009 Docket # 04-57-26 v. Parcel Index # 15-30-129-013 THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS RECOMMENDATION FOR DISPOSITION Appearances: Mr. Kent Steinkamp, Special Assistant Attorney General for the Illinois Department of Revenue Synopsis: The hearing in this matter was held to determine whether McLean County Parcel Index No. 15-30-129-130 qualified for exemption during the 2004 assessment year. Jaymes Williams, Bishop of the Blessed Church of Brigid a subdivision of Rose Ministries (hereinafter referred to as the "Applicant") was present and testified on behalf of Applicant. The issues in this matter include, first, whether Applicant was the owner of the parcel during the 2004 assessment year; secondly, whether Applicant is a religious organization; and lastly, whether the parcel was used by Applicant for religious purposes during the 2004 assessment year. After a thorough review of the facts and law presented, it is my recommendation that the requested exemption be denied. In support thereof, I make the following findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with the requirements of Section 100/10-50 of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 ILCS 100/10-50). FINDINGS OF FACT: 1. The jurisdiction and position of the Illinois Department of Revenue (hereinafter referred to as the “Department”) that McLean County Parcel Index No. 15-30-129-013 did not qualify for a property tax exemption for the 2004 assessment year were established by the admission into evidence of Dept.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 20 Wicca, Witchcraft and the Goddess Revival
    Wicca, witchcraft and the Goddess revival: An examination of the growth of Wicca in post-war America. Item Type Book chapter Authors Ball, Caroline Citation Ball, C. (2018) 'Wicca, Witchcraft and the Goddess Revival: An examination of the growth of Wicca in post-war America', in Beavis, M.A. & Hwang, H.H-S., M. (eds.) 'Goddesses in Myth, History and Culture', Lytle Creek, CA: Mago Books. Publisher Mago Books Download date 25/09/2021 14:21:48 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10545/622746 Chapter 20 Wicca, Witchcraft and the Goddess Revival: An examination of the growth of Wicca in post-war America Caroline Ball Preface When dealing with a topic as unfamiliar as Wicca is to many, it seems important before progressing further to establish just what is meant by the terms ‘pagan’, ‘neopagan’, ‘witch’ and ‘Wiccan’, both to scholars and those to whom the terms apply. There is a great deal of debate concerning this matter, which does not look to be reconciled any time soon, and many, scholars included, are wont to use these terms interchangeably. It does not help that in many cases there is no single specific definition accepted by both groups, as in the case of Wicca; or that the official dictionary definition is outdated and reflects a quite clearly Christian bias. For example, the Oxford English Dictionary defines a ‘pagan’ as “heathen; unenlightened or irreligious”. One can see immediately how offensive, not to mention inaccurate, such a description would seem to pagans, who are neither unenlightened nor irreligious. In general, one must look at the context in which the word is used to determine its meaning.
    [Show full text]
  • A Wiccan Bible (A.J. Drew)
    ▼ A ICC N W ▼ A BIBLE Exploring the Mysteries of the Craft from Birth to Summerland A.J. DREW New Page Books A division of The Career Press, Inc. Franklin Lakes, NJ a WB Title.p65 1 7/11/2003, 5:43 PM Copyright © 2003 by A.J. Drew All rights reserved under the Pan-American and International Copyright Conventions. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without written permis- sion from the publisher, The Career Press. A WICCAN BIBLE EDITED BY LAUREN MANOY TYPESET BY STACEY A. FARKAS Cover design by Cheryl Cohan Finbow Printed in the U.S.A. by Book-mart Press To order this title, please call toll-free 1-800-CAREER-1 (NJ and Canada: 201-848- 0310) to order using VISA or MasterCard, or for further information on books from Career Press. The Career Press, Inc., 3 Tice Road, PO Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 www.careerpress.com www.newpagebooks.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Drew, A. J. A wiccan Bible : exploring the mysteries of the craft from birth to summerland / by A.J. Drew. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 1-56414-666-9 (pbk.) 1. Witchcraft. I. Title. BF1571.D74 2003 299—dc21 2003053998 a WB Title.p65 2 7/11/2003, 5:43 PM Dedication For Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin; you have not been forgotten.
    [Show full text]
  • Modern Wicca and the Witchcraft Movement
    [Type here] Modern Wicca and the Witchcraft Movement 1 Wicca is one of the fastest growing religions in the United States and has followers across the globe.1 Despite this, there is a distinct lack of public awareness that Wicca exists at all. Accurate numbers of practitioners are particularly difficult to gauge because most surveys lump Neo-Pagans all together, sometimes they combine all alternative religious traditions, and sometimes it is categorized only as “other.” Furthermore, many individuals are not comfortable self-identifying as Wiccan and thus either do not respond to such surveys or claim some other religious affiliation. According to the 2008 American Religious Identification Survey, a frequently quoted survey of religious adherents, there were about 600,000 Neo-Pagans in the United States, with somewhere near half of them identifying as Wiccan.2 Their estimate is conservative compared to the website Religious Tolerance which estimated in 2018 there might be three million Wiccans in the United States3 The most reliable estimates we have come from the Pew Research Center who in 2008 found .4% or roughly 1 to 1.5 million Americans identify as either Wiccan or Pagan, although that number is likely to be significantly higher due to under- reporting.4 Despite the multitude of Wiccans worldwide, it is still a religion many find mysterious and sinister, while others are unaware it even exists. In this paper I endeavor to give a brief overview of what Wicca is in order to challenge pre-conceived notions based on ignorance or fear. Next, I situate the history of Wicca by assessing the link between the Burning Times and the development of Wicca.
    [Show full text]
  • Shades of Myth Folklore in American Neopagan
    SHADES OF MYTH FOLKLORE IN AMERICAN NEOPAGAN WITCHCRAFT A Thesis Presented to the faculty of the Department of Anthropology California State University, Sacramento Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in Anthropology by Kathleen Rich SPRING 2014 © 2014 Kathleen Rich ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii SHADES OF MYTH FOLKLORE IN AMERICAN NEOPAGAN WITCHCRAFT A Thesis by Kathleen Rich Approved by: __________________________________, Committee Chair Liam D. Murphy, Ph.D. __________________________________, Second Reader Terri Castaneda, Ph.D. ____________________________ Date iii Student: Kathleen Rich I certify that this student has met the requirements for format contained in the University format manual, and that this thesis is suitable for shelving in the Library and credit is to be awarded for the thesis. __________________________, Graduate Coordinator ___________________ Jacob Fisher, Ph.D. Date Department of Anthropology iv Abstract of SHADES OF MYTH FOLKLORE IN AMERICAN NEOPAGAN WITCHCRAFT by Kathleen Rich The American Neopagan Witchcraft community has made deliberate use of folklore to create a community identity and maintain social boundaries. The analysis of selected myths and legends in wide circulation among American Witches allows one to begin to understand how they define themselves and style their religion. Furthermore, Witchcraft folklore has inspired customs and practices that determine how Witches navigate the many layers of their society. Folklore has become the inspiration behind the creation of a Witchcraft community identity as well as a defining factor in how Neopagan Witches characterize themselves. _______________________, Committee Chair Liam D. Murphy, Ph.D. _______________________ Date v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are many people who deserve my gratitude; far more than I could name here.
    [Show full text]
  • October 27, 1999
    "The Editorially Independent Voice of the DMACC Boone Campus" ACTSOctober 27,1999 Volume 45,Issue Servina the Communitv Since 1956 Student government offers activities through rest of year Morlan said. "We really have some ex- By Zach Evans cellent activities." Bear Facts Staff On Nov. 3 will be a Pet Exhibit Day of Exotic Pets; Nov. 17 will be Boone v. Ankeny in intramural basketball; Bec. 4 The Roundguy The Boone Campus Student Ac- tivities Council has set its sights high as brings another dance to campus; Jan 25 entertained it plans activities for the rest of 1999 and will be the ''Blizzard of Rucks Game students in the the spring of 2000. Behind the leadership Show for a few of the upcoming events Boone Campus of advisor Terry Jamieson and SAC The first endeavor of the year has Theatre last president Jaret Morlan, the SAC has already taken place. Local comedian the week After planned over 10 activities for this school Roundguy brought his comedy act to the performing, he year. DMACC auditorium on Oct. 20. The shared a pizza The SAC has also been busy getting Roundguy had the students rolling in the with several permanent acquisitions for the student aisles, but several students thought that admirers in body. Money for the purchase of a big he crossed the line. DMACC student Bryan Young said, "He was hilarious, the Courter screen television has been approved. The SAC is also looking into purchasing a but some of his jokes were just gross." Center. ping-pong table for the Courter Center.
    [Show full text]
  • Basic Philosophy
    Texas Local Council Covenant of the Goddess Basic Philosophy What is Wicca? The short answer is that Wicca is a nature-based religion with a reverence for all life that views deity as male and female and celebrates the cycle of the seasons. Wicca also espouses an ethical Golden Rule known as the Rede. The Wiccan Rede Bide the Wiccan Rede ye must, In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: And ye harm none, do as ye will. Except in thine own defense it be, Ever mind the rule of three. Follow this mind and heart, And Merry Meet and Merry Part Wicca, or Witchcraft, is an earth religion -- a re-linking (re-ligio) with the life-force of nature, both on this planet and in the stars and space beyond. In city apartments, in suburban backyards, in country glades, groups of women and men meet on the new and full moons and at festival times to raise energy and put themselves in tune with these natural forces. They honor the old Goddesses and Gods, including the Triple Goddess of the waxing, full, and waning moon, and the Horned God of the sun and animal life, as visualizations of immanent nature. Our religion is not a series of precepts or beliefs, rather we believe that we each have within ourselves the capacity to reach out and experience the mystery -- that feeling of ineffable oneness with all Life. Those who wish to experience this transcendence must work, and create, and participate in their individual religious lives.
    [Show full text]
  • Atheist and Pagan Parents in the US Bible Belt South. (Under the Dire
    ABSTRACT MCCLURE, AMY IRENE. Parenting from the Margins: Atheist and Pagan Parents in the U.S. Bible Belt South. (Under the direction of Michael L. Schwalbe). This dissertation examines the parenting identities and practices of two marginalized groups in the U.S. Bible Belt South: atheists and Pagans. Based on participant- observation, in-depth interviews, and textual analysis, I show how atheist and Pagan parents responded to perceived threats to their identities as “good parents.” These responses took three forms: (1) managing spoiled moral identities through defensive othering; (2) socializing children to embrace worldviews and values consistent with parental beliefs; and (3) trying to eliminate or minimize unwanted religious intrusion by Christian family members. Parents engaged in defensive othering to distance themselves from discrediting stereotypes—specifically the “militant atheist” and the “hedonistic, flaky Pagan.” Atheist parents taught their children to think scientifically and critically, whereas Pagan parents emphasized an appreciation for magic and the importance of authentic spirituality. Atheists also steeped their children in competitive individualism, whereas Pagans encouraged creative individualism. Parents in both groups created physical and ideological barriers to shield their children from proselytizing by Christian family members. By comparing the middle- to upper-middle- class atheists to the poor and working-class Pagans, I show how parenting that challenges Christian hegemony is shaped by varying levels of economic and cultural capital. © Copyright 2013 Amy I. McClure All Rights Reserved Parenting from the Margins: Atheist and Pagan Parents in the U.S. Bible Belt South by Amy Irene McClure A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Sociology Raleigh, North Carolina 2013 APPROVED BY: _______________________________ ______________________________ Michael L.
    [Show full text]